DPR: Special Autonomy Fund, Government's Commitment To Continue Papuan Development

JAKARTA - Member of the DPR and member of the Papua Special Autonomy Special Committee (Otsus) Heru Widodo said the extension of the special autonomy fund was a form of the government's commitment to continue development in Papua.

"In addition, the special autonomy funds are to provide real welfare for all Papuan people," he said in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 16.

According to him, the indigenous peoples represented by traditional leaders have an important role in the implementation of the Papua Special Autonomy Law, especially the determination of members of the Papuan People's Assembly and the Papuan People's Legislative Assembly who will have joint duties with the regional government.

"The joint task is to develop programs and supervise the use of special autonomy funds," he said.

The development of the Land of Papua as outlined through the Special Autonomy Law as a result of a win-win solution and the law as a result of political policies.

In addition, the Papuan and West Papuan People's Councils have recommended to the President to continue conducting a dignified dialogue with all parties in order to reduce future violence.

"Especially in terms of education, we have proposed a special budget allocation for religious education," he said.

Because, he said, the DPR views that one of the passions that need to be revived is to build human resources in Papua, especially those supported by religious education.

In line with that, one of the Papuan religious leaders, KH Saiful Islam Al Payage, said that Indonesia has given everything for Bumi Cenderawasih, and now it's just a matter of how to fill it by improving quality.

With the special autonomy fund, he said, many Papuan children are already studying at home and abroad. Education needs to be encouraged so that the sons and daughters of Papua can take advantage of opportunities both in government and in the private sector.